Coordination of control commands in a medical device system having at least one therapy delivery device and at least one wireless controller device

Abstract

A medical device system includes at least one controllable patient-worn or patient-carried medical device, and a plurality of controller devices that are capable of independently controlling features or functions of the patient medical device. Control commands and other data is wirelessly communicated among the patient medical device and the multiple controller devices. A number of techniques, protocols, and other measures are provided to coordinate wireless communication between the various devices in a medical device system. These control command coordination processes address situations where conflicting, redundant, or concurrent control commands might be independently issued by the multiple controller devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of coordinating control commands in a medical device system comprising a medical device that delivers therapy to a patient, and a plurality of wireless controller devices for the medical device, the method comprising:
 detecting user interaction with the medical device; 
 after detecting the user interaction, wirelessly broadcasting a disable message from the medical device, the disable message conveying instructions intended to at least partially disable control functions of the plurality of wireless controller devices; 
 thereafter, executing a function of the medical device; and 
 after execution of the function, wirelessly broadcasting an enable message from the medical device, the enable message conveying instructions intended to override the effect of the disable message. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating, in response to detecting the user interaction, a control command with the medical device, wherein the control command initiates execution of the function. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the disable message conveys instructions intended to fully disable all control functions of the plurality of wireless controller devices. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the disable message conveys instructions intended to selectively disable functions of the plurality of wireless controller devices that influence delivery of therapy to the patient. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting step occurs when the medical device and all of the plurality of wireless devices are in an idle state. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical device system comprises an insulin infusion system, and the medical device comprises a portable insulin infusion pump that is worn or carried by the patient. 
     
     
       7. A method of coordinating control commands in a medical device system comprising a medical device that delivers therapy to a patient, and a plurality of wireless controller devices for the medical device, the method comprising:
 wirelessly receiving a disable message at the plurality of wireless controller devices, wherein the disable message is broadcast from the medical device in preparation of executing a control command at the medical device; 
 in response to receiving the disable message, at least partially disabling control functions of the plurality of wireless controller devices, resulting in at least one disabled function; 
 thereafter, wirelessly receiving an enable message at the plurality of wireless controller devices; and 
 in response to receiving the enable message, enabling the at least one disabled function of the plurality of wireless controller devices. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of at least partially disabling control functions disables all functions of the plurality of wireless controller devices. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of at least partially disabling control functions selectively disables functions of the plurality of wireless controller devices that influence delivery of therapy to the patient. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the enable message is wirelessly received from the medical device. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the medical device system comprises an insulin infusion system, and the medical device comprises a portable insulin infusion pump that is worn or carried by the patient.